Cardiff Blues, Wales and British & Irish Lion flanker Sam Warburton, OBE, has called timed on his illustrious rugby career.
Capped 74 times by Wales and a further five by the British & Irish Lions, Warburton led his country for a record 49 times. He has today announced his retirement from professional rugby.
Here’s how social media reacted:
British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has announced his retirement from rugby at age 29.
🏴 74 Wales caps
🗣 49 as captain
🦁 5 Lions caps
🏆 2 Six Nations championshipsA magnificent player, and a great servant to Welsh rugby 👏 pic.twitter.com/rsNfBNNux3
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) July 18, 2018
Congratulations to Sam Warburton on an amazing career.
Achieved so much, in a reasonably short career.
How he made it to 29, playing as he did, is remarkable.
King of the jackal.
Well played, Sam.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) July 18, 2018
Congratulations on a fantastic career, @samwarburton_ https://t.co/ghmVFFahNu
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) July 18, 2018
A leader on the pitch, a gentleman off it. Thank You @samwarburton_ for the incredible memories! #ThanksWarby https://t.co/EMCqQmuUjr
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 18, 2018
BREAKING: @samwarburton_ has announced his retirement from the game. He led Wales for a record 49 times in his 74 appearances.
#ThanksWarby pic.twitter.com/BOCahUsJ6O— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 18, 2018
Sam Warburton retires at 29. Remarkable player and bloke, and an exemplary leader. Hell of a career.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) July 18, 2018
Biggups @samwarburton_ and his fantastic career in @WelshRugbyUnion and @cardiff_blues 🏴 Loved the time we spent on the field together, here is just one of many action shots… I think we won the game after this line out 😉☺ pic.twitter.com/9Dw6NyqiTc
— Polly James (@PollyJames) July 18, 2018
Sad to hear of Sam Warburton’s retirement but he can look back with immense pride on his career.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) July 18, 2018
Sam Warburton retiring. Few got the better of him on the pitch, but he’s lost out to injury injury off it. Broadcasters all over the land will be flinging open their studio doors to him.
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) July 18, 2018
Sam Warburton, 29, has retired from rugby. Some player, some career.
— Tom Hamilton (@tomhamiltonespn) July 18, 2018
Congrats @samwarburton_ on one hell of a career. Top class player on the pitch and an absolute gent off it. 👍🏻 https://t.co/ELWB4nigjt
— chris czeks (@czeksyboy) July 18, 2018
💥 “The captain, Warburton!” 💥
A throwback to the 2017 @lionsofficial tour where @samwarburton_ captained the squad for the second timing, crashing over against the Highlanders to put his side ahead. 🦁
What is your favourite memory of the Welshman’s career? 🤔👇 pic.twitter.com/sUwSQc2CQ4
— Sky Sports Rugby (@SkySportsRugby) July 18, 2018
Devastated with the news @samwarburton_ absolute legend of the game and unbelievable career. Proud to have played under you! Half decent bloke too 😝 👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/wiEYZF5yr8
— Scott Williams (@ScottWilliams_1) July 18, 2018
Sad to see one of Wales’ very best bow out of the game. He’ll go down as a legend of the @WelshRugbyUnion and more importantly as a fantastic ambassador for our country and rugby as a whole. Wishing @samwarburton all the best. https://t.co/TGMlVeBeVZ
— Andrew RT Davies (@AndrewRTDavies) July 18, 2018
What a player , What a man 👍🏉 Good luck for your next chapter Sam 👍 #Legend #Gentleman
— Phil Davies (@pd4rugby) July 18, 2018
Gutted to hear he's been forced to retire, but what a career Sam Warburton has had.
On behalf of rugby fans everywhere I'd like to raise a toast to one of the finest opensides out there.— Graham Love (@GLove39) July 18, 2018
One of the game's greats. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter @samwarburton_. https://t.co/3p7dLEvdN1
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) July 18, 2018
Something tells me Warburton's going to do alright though. No need to start a whipround just yet. 🎙️📺💰
— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) July 18, 2018